Top 6 best 2018 destinations

Are you looking for new horizons to explore? Then discover our six new travel trends for 2018. Next year, abandon yourself to a heap of surprising experiences!

Discover the different sides of China

From the heights of the Himalaya to Beijing and Shanghai via terraced rice fields, China allows you to travel back in time, switching from the 21st century to glorious imperial times in the blink of an eye. Discover Beijing, capital of the People's Republic of China, and the famous forbidden city. Walk along the Great Wall, then head south to Shanghai, the effervescent megalopolis. Climb up the colossal Shanghai Tower – the tallest in the world! – and make the best of the observation deck and its panoramic views. As China now owns the largest high-speed railroad system, it is recommended to travel inland by train. About 60 miles only from Guangzhou, you should not fail to visit the Design Society cultural centre in Shenzhen, which opening is programmed for December 2017. In association with V&A Museum in London, Design Society is meant to cast the beauty of Chinese design on the international scene. There's little doubt the Middle Kingdom will keep on surprising you!

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Full-scale getaway in Chile

In the southwest of Latin America, Chile guarantees a total change of scenery. Next year, it will celebrate the bicentennial of its independence. Snowy mountain peaks in the Andes stand tall and look after Santiago, the Chilean capital. The El Colorado, Vale Nevado and La Parva ski resorts offer incredible settings, a mere 45 minutes from the city centre. Take a detour through Bellavista, Santiago's trendiest neighbourhood in which you'll go from restaurants to night clubs. As for culture, do not miss Pablo Neruda's house nor the Salvador Allende Museum, two key visits dedicated to local icons. At the Mercado Central, inscribed on UNESCO's Cultural Heritage list, you can seat at a table for a delicious fish and giant crab tasting. Venture out to the Atacama desert in the north of the country: with 1% humidity on yearly basis, it is the second driest place on earth after the poles!

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Portugal, charm of the Atlantic

Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal counts today as one of the most dynamic hubs of the Old Continent, and it won the World Travel Awards Europe prize in 2017. Offering superb landscapes, this colourful country has many cultural, artistic and gastronomic treasures to reveal. Up north, let Porto's charm seduce you. With rich historical heritage, contemporary architecture, the famous Douro River and lively nightlife, the best European destination fulfils all criteria. Further south, discover Lisbon, Portugal's bewitching capital. At once elegant and bohemian, this new Eldorado brims with energy, thanks to ebullient creativity, a multitude of cultural sites and a glorious past.
Museums, theatres, restaurants and bars are among the various places that will reveal the exuberance of Portuguese life to you. Before flying off, remember to get some pastéis de nata, the unmissable culinary speciality, and listen to a fado performance for a genuine and unforgettable moment.

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South Africa pays tribute to Nelson Mandela

In 2018, Nelson Mandela would have been 100. To celebrate his birthday, various sports and cultural events will take place all year long. More than ever, 2018 will offer an occasion to seek out the animals of Kruger Park, one of the largest animal reserves of the country. Discover Johannesburg, urban capital with an alert art scene. Day and night, Pan-African art, jazz clubs, theatres, museums, restaurants and alternative bars suffuse incredible energy to the heart of the metropolis. If you miss the sound of crashing waves, head to Cape Town: the city by the sea offers temples of gastronomy that challenge their imagination to offer you typical flavours. The brand new Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa), located in a former silo and dedicated to contemporary African art, has become a choice stopover. We know that you too will be captivated by South Africa's treasures.

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Mauritius, or the promise of a dream awake

With white sandy beaches stretching as far as the eye can see, blue lagoons with perfect temperature waters and lush vegetation, Mauritius – about to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Independence in 2018 – is an invitation to a getaway. This gem of the Indian Ocean, located in the very heart of the Mascarene archipelago, is a dreamlike island shaped by multiple influences that make up its past.
In Mauritius, you have such a huge choice of activities that it can be tough know what to start with: underwater exploration amid coral reef, trek around the Morne mountain to get a glimpse of luxurious fauna and flora, or sea trip to the Île aux Cerfs or Rodrigues islands?
After a jaunt to Flic-en-Flac's mythical beaches, you'll discover the charming Grand-Baie fishing village, Port-Louis and the unmissable central market and the botanical garden of the Pamplemousses district. To top it all off, admire the sunset from Tamarin Bay. And no, you're not dreaming: this is all for real!

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South Korea awaits you for the Winter Olympics

In 2018, athletes from all over the world will discover the Land of the Morning Calm during the 23rd Winter Olympics. Whether you're a connoisseur or simply curious of this multi-faceted Korean culture, you'll be pleased to learn Seoul holds a museum dedicated to Kimchi, the local culinary speciality you'll find everywhere. For a picture in front of the famous Gyeongbokgung palace, don the Hanbok, traditional costume widely used on the peninsula. In Spring, you can take a stroll around the Seoul Forest to admire cherry blossoms and free-roaming deer up close! Head south to get your fill of adventure in Jeonju! Located in the Jeonbuk region, it is the original stronghold of the Joseon Dynasty, which ruled over the country for 518 years. In the Busan region, make a stop at the Temple of the Nirvana Fish, hotspot of Korean martial art sunmudo. In Seoul as in all of South Korea, tradition and avant-garde always merge for the best!